Sunday, 11 December 2016

I am sitting in my study to
write this my fifteenth Christmas Letter from Blackmore. Through the window I
see a cloudless blue sky and sunlight brightens the dying foliage of tree and
bush. The red brick garden wall is dappled with light and shade and October has
but four days left. Christmas seems rather remote and summer lingers on. But if
my greetings and good wishes are to reach my relatives and friends in far away
places before Christmas I must draft my letter at no later date, In the
appropriate file I have numerous letters making acknowledgement of my last
Christmas Letter and bringing news of those of whom I think and for whom I
pray. Thank you all for writing, Each letter will bring me renewed pleasure as
I re-read it and make supplementary comment at the foot of this necessarily
general letter.

Turning now to the parish it
appears to me that our community continues to thrive in its various interests
and activities. Our people seem ready with their smiles and the children are
numerous and bonnie. The companies of Christians related to the Baptist and
Parish Churches, working together, study to serve Christ in the overall life of
the community, particularly among the young. To accommodate the Junior Church,
the Adventurers and the Covenanters, the full age range, we use the village
hall, the old school building, the Baptist Hall and the parish church. Guides
and Brownies parade at the monthly Family Service in the parish church. Church
officers play an effective part in filling out the functions of the witnessing
church as also do the Choir, the Needlework Guild, the Flower Guild, the
Women's Fellowship, Mothers Union and Young Wives Fellowship.

Further work has been carried
out in the restoration of our old church, mainly in the tower. The latter looks
superb. Special events were the Flower Festival and the Parish Gift Day, both
of which proved interesting and rewarding. In July, our church and choir
appeared on television in colour in the programme "Seeing and
Believing", In early December I hope to make an appeal for the church over
radio on the Week's Good Cause Appeal. Another special event was Bishop John
Tiarks' resignation and the coming of Bishop John Trillo to the See of
Chelmsford.

Our new County Primary School
is already bursting at the seams and additional classrooms are needed. The
young fathers of the village have nearly completed the conversion of the old
school canteen into an indoor swimming pool for the children, under the
auspices of the Parent-Teacher Association. The old school itself is about to
be adapted as a Youth and Community Centre for all age groups and as a
department of the County Library. Our Football Team is giving a good account of
itself and helps train the boys at weekends, The Blackmore Players, our drama
group, is well supported and is managing two plays and a pantomime each year. A
high standard too. The annual Donkey Derby drew great crowds and was a success.
Each year sees new houses going up here and there. This year several stretches
of pavement (sidewalk) have been laid down.

Sometimes when I meet an old
friend whom I see very occasionally the question is asked "How are you
getting along in Blackmore?" My reply invariably is "I like the
people, I like the place and I like my job." It is a joy to serve such a
parish as also to be served by the parish. I have received great kindness,
especially since I lost my dear wife. I have considerable correspondence and
two parishioners help with typing and duplicating. A keen Christian man has
been taking theological examinations to qualify as a Lay Reader. When he is
licensed he should be a great help with the services.

Ours is a world of change and
I always feel a sense of loss when some family I have come to know has to remove
from Blackmore. But as one advances in years more hurtful partings come
increasingly upon one. This year my only brother died suddenly from a coronary.
Although we did not meet often we were very close in affection. A loved
sister-in-law passed away as also a missionary friend who, since her
retirement, had become an absolute pillar of the church. Another dear friend,
whose best man I was at his wedding in 1925, was taken from us recently.
Mercifully, for the Christian, human sorrow in bereavement is lightened by his
confidence that being with Christ is a far better part and the resurrection
holds the promise of a glad reunion in the glorious presence of Christ our
Redeemer.

After a gap of twenty years
the way opened up for me to revisit Canada. An invitation to give a week of
Bible talks at a Christian holiday centre led to my staying on for a further
two weeks to renew acquaintances with friends of the past, some of whom I had
been writing each Christmas. All my travels were in the Province of Ontario
which I reached in a Jumbo Jet. I started with two days on the Niagara
Escarpment where I saw something of the Canadian Menonites, a strict Christian
sect which reminds one of the Puritans. The Bible talks were given at Elim
Lodge in the Kawartha Lakes country. I went to Canadian Keswick, a Christian
conference centre in the Muskoka country. My last week was spent in Toronto and
district. I was able to preach in the Church of the Epiphany in Oakville. In
all I was entertained with great kindness in seven different Canadian homes.

Increasingly I discover all
sorts of problems hidden beneath the surface of people's lives. In nearly all
cases I can trace these problems as arising from a failure to relate to God. As
I grow older and realise that my years of active Christian service are limited
in number, I feel an increasing urge to be involved with people. The one
question I want to ask men is "Do you know Jesus, my Lord?" The one
possession I want to commend to my fellows is the Holy Bible. The one society into
which I fain would draw the wayfarer is the company of Christ's Church. In this
way I know a responsive soul would come to God the Eternal Father. This is
really what Christmas is all about. This is why God became flesh and dwelt
among us in the Babe of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Be thankful for his
coming.

As for me, I am busy, well and
rejoicing in the Lord. It is my hope and prayer that the same is true of you.
This brings my affectionate Christian greetings,

Welcome

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Blackmore Area Local History

I am a keen amateur local historian who has always lived in the CM4 postal district (Ingatestone and Blackmore).
I am currently running an interim blog for the Essex Society for Archaeology and History - see esah160.blogspot.co.uk - and have recently completed a Certificate in Local History at the University of Essex.
The purpose of this blog (which began in 2007) and partner website is simply to encourage everyone to consider, explore and learn about their local heritage and history. The Internet is a marvellous resource and enables people from around the corner and around the world to share.
Enjoy the journey of discovery.